The BGOV 200 is the biggest federal contractors, ranked by the largest federal buying agencies and purchasing categories and the 2013 edition based on Fiscal 2012 is here. Bloomberg Industries Analyst Brian Friel and Bloomberg Government Graphic Designer Paige Connor discuss the big winners, losers and surprises that popped up in this years rankings.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent every year by lobbying organizations in an effort to gain the favor of a member of Congress. First quarter lobbying numbers have been reported. BGOV’s Dr. Peter Brusoe and Bloomberg Industries Analyst Melissa Avstreih break down the numbers. Did the NRA top the list for the first quarter? Listen and find out.

Allen Scott (moderator) specializes in customer on boarding and training at Bloomberg Government. Allen previously worked at Arbitron, Inc. where he served in a variety of roles from customer service to sales operations manager. Prior to Arbitron, Allen worked in radio for several years in the Washington and Baltimore areas. Most recently he spent six years at 99.1 HFS as co-host and news director.

Paige K. Connor is the design editor at Bloomberg Government. She previously was the design director for Politico. She also has been an art director and assistant editor at various publications. Connor has won a Society for News Design Award and other awards for her design and graphical work. Connor has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism Graphics from Ball State University in Indiana.

Brian Friel is a federal business analyst with Bloomberg Government. He launched GovernmentExecutive.com in 1996 and turned the magazine’s website into a daily news operation with 100,000 subscribers. Friel’s 15 years of executive branch and congressional coverage include reporting for Government Executive, PlanetGov.com, National Journal and Congressional Quarterly.

Peter Brusoe Peter Brusoe is a campaign finance data analyst for Bloomberg Government. Before joining Bloomberg he was a research associate with the Campaign Finance Institute where he co-authored a number of studies examining the confluence of campaign finance law and contributions. He received a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University at Albany, SUNY, an M.A. in Political Science from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and policy and a Ph.D. in political science from American University.

Melissa Avstreih is a transportation analyst at Bloomberg Government. She had been a partner at the Ferguson Group, a consulting firm where she chaired the Transportation Practice Group. Avstreih worked as a staffer for a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She holds a political science degree from West Chester University and a master’s of international commerce and policy from George Mason University.